Drive helps clothe Jamaican orphans

• Journey Home Jamaica clothing drive 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 30
• Here We Grow Again!, 832 E. McGalliard
• Info: www.journeyhomejamaica.com

MUNCIE – Lots of tourists visit Jamaica and take away great memories, but Jennifer and Bruce Everetts leave great things behind, too, like clothes and shoes for needy orphans.

The couple's mission is called Journey Home Jamaica.

"It's been wonderful," Jennifer said, of how both Jamaicans and Americans have taken to their effort.

As she spoke, she was sitting in Here We Grow Again!, the colorful, attractive re-sale shop she and Bruce took over in February. It features thousands of quality used clothing items, especially for customers who tend to outgrow them quickly, thanks to growth spurts and such.

Their commitment to Jamaica can be seen in the posters on their shop window, a photo montage of their latest mission trip flashing on a screen behind their cash register counter and the soft sounds of reggae wafting from a sound system.

Jennifer was no stranger to Jamaica before, but she traces their serious involvement to a day when they were approaching a time when the six children of their blended family were all going to be busy in camps and things.

"Bruce," she said in disbelief to her husband, who is a partner in Taylor Architects, "we're going to be alone in the house for an entire week!"

They soon decided to spend that week in Jamaica. Furthermore, when they were there, they decided to track down a restaurant she had learned of years before from a fellow airline passenger, a quest that soon had them off the beaten tourist path into the real countryside.

"We just fell in love with the country and the people," she said of their adventure, but they also saw firsthand the poverty and a need that she perceived for foster care there. Exploring that situation on Google, that very day she saw a posting that confirmed foster homes were needed for 6,000 youngsters.

Since then, not only have the Everettses delivered countless suitcases of clothes and shoes to the Jamaican people, they have also obtained the use of property with two buildings that will soon house some of those orphans in need of foster homes.

In this effort, they are partnering with Word of Life International church and its Jamaican leaders, Richard and Nicola Scott, and took 16 young people from here to help them at the end of June.

"We did tons of outreach," Jennifer said. "We built some playground equipment when we were down there. ... The people just struggle to take care of themselves. They don't always know where their next meal is going to come from. ... That's a part of Jamaica people don't really see."

In running Here We Grow Again!, the two have found themselves in a unique position to help their mission.

When people come into the shop to sell used clothes and shoes, Jennifer or Bruce will buy what they can use. What they can't use, they will ask whether people want to donate those items to Journey Home Jamaica, although now people come in with items and just donate them outright to the mission.

Besides clothes and shoes, they will also accept toys and cash. What's more, everything helps. Donated items will be given to the poor, and other items are donated to poor people to sell for themselves.

And say you donate an item the folks down there just can't use — snow boots, for example. The Everetts have ways to sell them, then donate that money to the mission.

"Nothing is wasted," Jennifer said.

Folks wanting to help the Everettses and their Jamaican mission will have the opportunity to do so from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 30 at Here We Grow Again!, 105 E. McGalliard Road, which is in the same small strip mall as Little Caesar's Pizza at McGalliard Road and Walnut Street.

By the way, folks who donate gently used clothing, shoes, toys or a minimum cash donation of $5 will also receive gift coupons valued at more than $50 from places such as Little Caesar's, Hot-n-Ready, Sweet T Boutique, Merle Norman, Tan U Very Much, Escapades and more.

"It's going to be a big party," said Jennifer, who acknowledged that in a former life she was Pollyanna the clown, noting there will be vendors including It Works! Body Wraps, 31 Bags, Scentsy and Paparazzi Jewelry, face-painting, balloons, a raffle and, alas, clowns.

Contact John Carlson at (765) 213-5824.

IF YOU GO

• WHAT: Journey Home Jamaica clothing drive

• WHEN: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 30

• WHERE: Here We Grow Again!, 105 E. McGalliard

• INFO: Info: www.journeyhomejamaica.com